ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the metabolism of ethanol and the associated biochemical changes. The widespread interest in the biochemical changes associated with the metabolism of ethanol originated, in part, with the realization that a number of pathologic effects of alcohol can be directly linked to its metabolism. The same trend of thought then led to the belief that diseases of the liver associated with alcoholism are not due to ethanol per se, but merely to nutritional deficiencies so commonly associated with alcoholism. Although trace amounts of ethanol can originate endogenously from intestinal fermentation, alcohol is primarily an exogenous compound that can be readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The resulting hyperlactacidemia contributes to acidosis26 and reduced urinary uric acid excretion which in turn results in alcoholic hyperuricemia, a recognized variety of secondary hyperuricemia. In addition to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia has also been described in association with alcoholism.
